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Mayflower 400 Guided Tours

Travel the Mayflower Trail and see it through the eyes of Pilgrims, treading in the very footsteps they would have taken 400 years ago with our exclusive Guided Tours.

Walk the historic streets that tell the Mayflower story, admire the centuries-old churches where they would have worshipped, explore the English villages where they live, the maritime cities and ports they travelled through and the towns they traded in.

Our Guided Tours take you to the very heart of England on land and water, giving you a unique opportunity to experience the very best of the country  - it's culture, history, scenery and architecture - in the hands of the people who know it best.

Our official Guided Tour partners will give you an insight into 1620 England, telling local stories and guiding you to fascinating hidden corners - while helping you choose the best places to eat, drink and shop.

 

You can browse the different Guided Tours we have to offer below.

  • A London Mayflower Walk. Pilgrims, Profit and Propaganda: the birthplace of America

    For many Americans, US history begins with the Mayflower, which carried the Mayflower Pilgrims to America 400 years ago. But for Londoners, it goes back much further. The landing at Plymouth in 1620 was the culmination of decades of exploration, dedication and investment.

    During this two-hour walk, with your qualified London guide, you’ll follow in the footsteps of the founders of America.

    Visit London’s medieval seat of government, ancient churches where colonists worshipped, a 17th-century hall where a Pilgrim leader was apprenticed and the sites of grim prisons where Edward Winslow and other Pilgrims languished.

    Visit haunts of the Native American princess, Pocahontas, and the swashbuckling Captain John Smith.

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  • Guided Walk of London with a Mayflower Descendant

    As a descendant of four passengers on the ​Mayflower,​ tourist guide Emily Laurence Baker is especially excited to commemorate the 400​ anniversary of the ship’s sailing.

    This walking tour passes along the River Thames in Rotherhithe, while Emily describes the background of ​Mayflower​ passengers and the impact of their arrival on the indigenous people of America. Her message may even challenge what visitors have been taught in school.

    The walk emphasises drama: the hardships of the 66 days on board a small vessel in rough seas; how brave these individuals were to found an outpost of the British Empire; and their perseverance in founding a settlement when they did not initially have legal right from England.

    Emily will discuss motivations, practicalities and how this incredibly diverse group of people managed to work together to form a community. Hear more about individuals who undertook the journey, particularly William Bradford, Christopher Jones and some of the women on board.

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  • Hertford’s American Connections

    Spend the morning or afternoon in the small but lovely historic market town of Hertford, which has a surprisingly large number of connections with America - more so than some of its larger neighbours. Its compact historic town centre makes it ideal for a 120-minute walking tour.

    You will visit the Quaker Meeting House that celebrates its 350th anniversary in 2020 and is the oldest meeting house in continuous use in the country. Hear about their early struggles as they were often prosecuted simply for being Quakers.

    Lunch will be in the Salisbury Arms, a medieval inn that was owned by Nicholas Farrar, a London merchant who was born in Hertford and a member of the Virginia Company. Lunch is included in the price with a main course selection that includes a vegetarian option.

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  • Sailing in the Wake of the Mayflower

    SB Snark is a fully-crewed traditional Thames sailing barge. Throughout the summer of 2020, the Snark will retrace the route taken by Mayflower and Speedwell as they travelled along the south coast of England in 1620, before the Mayflower eventually set out across the Atlantic, bound for North America.

    ​Starting in Dartmouth, the Snark will sail first to London, then on to Southampton, Dartmouth and Plymouth, following the route and dates in the Mayflower log and joining in the commemorations in each port along the way.

    Unlike the Mayflower, the Snark will only be sailing in daylight and will anchor or mooring ‘off -grid’ overnight.

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  • 1620 Yomp and Chomp, Southampton

    This is a walking and eating tour exploring the food and history from 400 years ago when the Mayflower sailed from West Quay in late July 1620.

    Many of the buildings that still exist in Southampton would have been seen by the Pilgrims as they spent time in the city waiting for repairs to the sister ship the Speedwell to be completed.

    You will taste typically Tudor foods and drinks in buildings that date from before 1600.

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  • From Pilgrims to Cotton – Boston and the Threads to America

    Starting in the Chapel of the Boston Guildhall Museum, dating from 1390s, hear the story of the 1607 attempt for escape, how this story has changed for Boston and the new stories that are being discovered and shared.

    Stand in the Court Room, visit the actual cells that held the Pilgrims for 30 days. Discover Leonard Beetson, a Boston Draper, who was named on an arrest warrant alongside Pilgrim Leaders in 1607 and his relationship with John Cotton.

    Walk into the medieval Market Place and view St Botolph's Church where Reverend Cotton gave his sermons. End your experience with a visit to a local Coaching Inn, The White Hart, for a traditional afternoon tea. 

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  • Uncover Britain Road Trips: Mayflower Footsteps and Roots self-drive campervan trip

    The fascinating story of the Mayflower voyage, and the stories behind the Pilgrims, can be discovered with this trail around the important places and the significant people who are part of the narrative.

    With an opportunity to uncover the full story, Uncover Britain Road Trips can help you can travel from Worcester in the Midlands and learn about Edward Winslow's Worcestershire.

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  • Plymouth Walking Tours

    Explore the historic city of Plymouth with the expert guides from Devon & Cornwall Tour Guides, offering the only regular, bookable walking tours in the city

    There are two choices of walking tours that are one hour each: wander through the Barbican District and see where Mayflower Pilgrims walked, or check out the waterfront with a visit to Plymouth Hoe and a stroll through the City Centre.

    Whichever tour you choose, we’ll do our best to show you all of Plymouth’s iconic sights.

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  • Dartmouth Mayflower Pilgrims' Haven

    A full-day tour with a cruise excursion, led by your very own local Blue Badge Guide with private transport around the historic town of Dartmouth

    Spend the day exploring one of Devon’s most historic and scenic harbour towns and the stunning estuary of the River Dart set deep in the Devon landscape. 

    Your qualified Blue Badge Guide will bring alive the local stories of the Mayflower Pilgrims as they share with you the history of the people and the locations that are key to the start of their journey to America.

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  • Founding Connections: Windsor, Salisbury & Southampton

    Trace the story of the key royal, constitutional and founding links between the United States and United Kingdom visiting some of the most iconic sites in southern England with Blue Badge Tours

    Your qualified Blue Badge Guide will reveal, at each location you visit, fascinating details of how the foundations of the special relationship between the rulers and the people of both nations were forged.

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  • The Mayflower City

    Plymouth in the county of Devon is inextricably linked with the story of the Pilgrims. It is from the safety of this superb harbour that the Mayflower finally left England, in September 1620, on her perilous voyage to the New World

    The addition of a guided trip to Buckland Abbey, the Drake family home, makes this a full day’s tour, enabling us to explore the great changes that took place in Tudor England and ultimately gave rise to the great migration westward, across the Atlantic.

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  • In The Footsteps of The Mayflower

    Spend a day in Southampton - on land and sea - exploring the maritime city's connections with The Mayflower.

    2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower and her sister ship the Speedwell departing Southampton on a voyage to the New World.

    Visit SeaCity Museum and its permanent 'Gateway to the World' gallery and see how Southampton has developed as a port since Roman times. Learn about the famous ships that have sailed out of Southampton, including the Mayflower, Titanic and Queen Mary.

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  • Mayflower Discovery: 5-day guided tour

    An unforgettable private 5-day adventure across the UK tracing the journey of the Pilgrims who set sail on the Mayflower in 1620

    Discover the villages where the leaders lived, and where the Separatist movement was born, the churches where they worshipped, the cells where they were held and the very places where they stayed, ate and set sail

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  • Mayflower Pilgrims Devon Discovery Tour

    Follow in the footsteps of the intrepid Mayflower Pilgrims, and their final weeks in England

    • The beautiful river port of Dartmouth where the Mayflower laid at anchor
    • A tour of the town of Dartmouth with the Town Crier, in full regalia! (subject to availability)
    • The historic port of Plymouth was once the maritime capital of the world! 
    • The historic Barbican area, the Mayflower steps and Island House where many of the Pilgrims lodged while in the town
    • Plymouth Gin Distillery and historic Plymouth Hoe
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  • Pilgrim Mayflower Tour

    See where the Pilgrims stayed while waiting to board the Mayflower ship for their epic journey to the New World

    Stand on the steps which would have been their last step on English land before arrival at the New World. Photo opportunity at the Mayflower Steps, which is approaching its 400th year anniversary in 2020.

    Visit the Mayflower museum where you will see and hear the story of the persecuted separatists who fled England to Holland before their epic journey to the New World via Plymouth in 1620. We then visit the Barbican, with its Elizabethan cobbled streets and buildings.

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  • Mayflower Tour of Devon

    Devon, the final departure point for those courageous Pilgrims nearly 400 years ago! On this tour we will follow the path of the Pilgrims as they prepared to set sail on their historic voyage to America in 1620

    • Visit the famous Mayflower Steps and the historic Barbican in Plymouth
    • Lunch in a traditional, historic pub
    • Visit Bayards Cove where Speedwell sought repairs
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  • Finesse Chauffeurs Mayflower 400 Tour

    Finesse Chauffeurs have introduced a new 7-day tour in time for the 400-year anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower in 1620.

    Whether coming to the UK to commemorate this historic occasion or perhaps you have a personal interest in tracing your family tree (genealogy), Finesse Chauffeurs can provide you with a tour of the South West of England based on the Mayflower journey.

    Includes Southampton, Dartmouth, Plymouth and Cornwall.

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  • Hedingham Castle

    Arrive in style in a vintage Rolls Royce to Hedingham Castle in Essex, built in 1133, before a full tour of the beautiful castle

    Your guide will bring the history of the castle to life and you will enjoy a mouthwatering afternoon cream tea and local wine tasting.

    Enjoy a fully escorted private guided tour of the castle and gardens with exclusive access to private areas of the Castle not usually open to visitors

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  • Cambridge Religious Heritage

    The best way to experience the city and university of Cambridge is with a Cambridge Official Walking Tour

    This 3-hour walking tour, led by qualified Green Badge Cambridge City Guides, explains why Cambridge is known as the home of the English Reformation. Our walking tour will take you on a journey of over 1000 years, uncovering the stories of early Christianity, the Crusades, the early US Pilgrims and the Reformation.

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  • American Airmen Tour

    This full day tour, led by qualified Green Badge Cambridge City Guides, is a combination of a walking tour, taking you to the historic sites in Cambridge that tell the story of our many US connections

    • Qualified Green Badge Guides offering a professional and high-quality service
    • Cambridge city walk including Cambridge University
    • Eagle Pub for traditional pub lunch
    • American Cemetery at Madingley
    • Imperial War Museum Duxford
    • American Air Museum
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  • In the Pilgrim’s Footsteps – The Mayflower Story

    Explore Lincoln Cathedral for a guided walk around Cathedral Grounds and precincts before heading towards the Bassetlaw area and the birthplace of many Separatists

    • A visit to Lincoln featuring one of the most magnificent of English Gothic Cathedrals
    • Scrooby and Babworth where the first separatists were born and worshipped
    • Gainsborough Old Hall traditional afternoon cream
    • Tuxford Mill, a working tower windmill, built in 1820
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  • Roots of the Mayflower – Including Evensong in Lincoln Cathedral

    Travel through the countryside of this corner of “unknown England” enjoying a personally guided visit to some of the main sites associated with the 1620 Pilgrims in one easy trip

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  • Roots of the Mayflower

    Travel through the countryside of this corner of “unknown England” and enjoy a personally guided visit to most of the main sites associated with the homes of the 1620 Pilgrims in one easy 5-hour trip

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  • Mayflower 400 Commemoration Tours

    An official Mayflower 400 tour of Plymouth and Cornwall’s Poldark connections

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  • Pilgrims, Baptists and Amazing Country Churches

    Explore Gainsborough, the historic puritan churches of Glentworth and Snarford, the medieval splendour of Stow, the pre-Reformation farmyard church of Coates and Sturton le Steeple which gave birth to separatist leaders John Smyth and John Robinson

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  • Sailing Through History at Mount Edgcumbe

    Sail through the history of the seafaring port of Plymouth and history of Mount Edgcumbe

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  • Mayflower Pilgrims Roots and Lincoln Cathedral with ‘Pilgrims & Prophets’

    This tour provides a day of contrasts as we first explore the development of the 'Mayflower' separatists from their roots in a puritan refusal to conform to rules over worship.

    After the villages and country churches of the Pilgrims, finish the day with Choral Evensong at magnificent Lincoln and ask yourself, 'What would the Pilgrims have thought of it?'

    Whatever the answer – it will be a memorable experience.

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  • Baptist History Highlights tour with 'Pilgrims & Prophets'

    The first English Baptists came from the villages and markets of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire from where the movement spread to America, taking with it ideas of religious tolerance uniquely developed by this small group of faithful people. This tour combines history with the present, allowing you to meet local Baptist leaders and find how the tradition still thrives today.

    The tour explores the lives of John Smyth, Thomas Helwys and John Murton, visiting the villages and churches where they grew up and began their ministry at the same time as the group who became the ‘Mayflower’ Pilgrims.

    Secretive and at risk, they left little mark, but skilled guides will show you what to you look for and help you to reflect on a journey that took them to the Netherlands and to London prison cells.

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  • Cathedrals, Churches and Monasteries Tour with 'Pilgrims & Prophets'

    The best of England’s old churches and ruins are to be found in its countryside. This tour takes you through Sherwood Forest to see romantic ruined monasteries converted into stately homes or parish churches, including the inspiring Southwell Minster, and concludes with choral evensong in Europe’s best cathedral, Lincoln.

    There's so much to see that this tour can be spread over one or two days. For medieval monasteries, you have the lakeside ruins of Rufford Abbey or Newstead Priory – which later became the home of the very wicked Lord Byron! Both are set in Sherwood Forest, which the guides can tell you all about.

    There’s also Worksop Priory, a huge Norman abbey later the home of a leading puritan whose daughter was a founder of Rhode Island.

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  • Congregational Church History with 'Pilgrims & Prophets'

    Although some think the Congregational tradition started with Robert Browne of Stamford, it effectively began in England with the separatists led by Clifton, Robinson and Brewster, some of whom went to America on the Mayflower.

    Their early history was written by another migrant, John Cotton of Boston. Explore the lives, land and churches of these people and meet some of the English congregations.

    This is a tailored tour which can be programmed to last between one and three days, according to your needs.

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  • America's Heritage and Roots of the USA with 'Pilgrims & Prophets'

    Two successive waves of migration – in 1620, and then again from 1629-34 – cemented powerful connections between Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the future states of the USA.

    Explore the roots of Captain John Smith, William Bradford, John Cotton, Anne Bradstreet, Anne Hutchinson and the city of Boston itself, and trace the ideas that gave birth to the First Amendment.

    This is the only tour that covers the range of American migration from Smith’s Virginia to the Mayflower Pilgrims and the Great Migration and is led by a Cambridge-educated historian.

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  • John Wesley Highlight Tour with 'Pilgrims & Prophets'

    In the morning you'll start at the magnificent Worksop Priory to learn the background history of English Christianity, from the Normans to Henry VIII.

    You'll then visit the key villages and churches of the leading ‘Mayflower’ Pilgrims at Babworth, Scrooby and Austerfield.

    After lunch, you will travel to the ‘Isle’ of Axholme and Epworth to see where John Wesley was born, attended his father’s church – and the tomb on which he began his most effective ministry.

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  • Janie Dymock's Blue Badge Guide walking tour of Plymouth

    Explore the city of Plymouth with local tour guide Janie Dymock, who will reveal fun facts about the city, show you places you’d unlikely see on your own and bring to life the centuries of stories from Britain’s Ocean City.

    Hear of the Mayflower Pilgrims and other adventures, sailors and explorers, learn about Plymouth’s role in World War II and see the city through new eyes.

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  • The Mayflower Water Trail

    Step into history on Lynher, with the power of her mighty red sails and the smell of wood and tar setting the scene.

    Make yourself comfortable on deck to soak up the scenery surrounding you for this unique experience or take part to the sailing, it’s your choice.

    Refreshments are provided.

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  • Dorking in the time of William Mullins

    The Dorking Walks team offers a variety of walks, taking in the different aspects of the town’s history and heritage.

    'Dorking in the time of William Mullins' is a Mayflower-themed walk around the buildings that survive today from the early 17th century, which Mullins and his fellow Pilgrims would have known.

    You'll get the chance to explore the lives of the Mayflower Pilgrims in Dorking, what the town and buildings were like during their lives, and what happened to them after they left for America.

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